Keyboard perforator counter for direct measurement in picas



June 15, 1931. I E, s, LARSON 2,083,570

KEYBOARD PE RFORATOR COUNTER FOR DIRECT MEASUREMENT IN PICAS Filed June 21, 1935 2 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR EDWARD S. LARSON ATTORN June 15, 1937. E. s. LARSON 2,033,570

KEYBOARD PERFORATOR COUNTER FOR DIRECT MEASUREMENT IN PICAS Filed June 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6

'FIG. 3

lllllllllllll Illlll INVENTOR EDWARD S. LARSON BYZC? I ATTORN Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEYBOARD PERFORATOR COUNTER FOR DIRECT MEASUREMENT IN PICAS Application June 21, 1935, Serial No. 27,625

33 Claims.

The present invention relates to composing systems and apparatus therefor and more particularly to perforators and counters for preparing a perforated strip for the automatic control of 5 line composing and casting machines.

The principal object of the invention is to totalize, in terms of a standard linear unit of measurement, the matrices of any font of type concurrently with the operation of a keyboard perforatcr.

Another object of the invention is to effect readily the translation of counting operations of definite and invariable extents into infinitely variable extents.

Another object is to provide for varying the effect imparted by the fixed actuations of the counting mechanism of a keyboard perforator and counter upon the indicating mechanism therefor.

. 20 A feature of the invention is to provide an ad justable interconnection between the counting device and the indicating device of a keyboard perforator and counter whereby the movement of the index hand or matrix pointer may be 25 altered for each effectiveness of the counting device.

Briefly, in the typographical art, composing machines of the linecasting type are provided with matrices which consist of small brass units carrying indented characters in their edges and which are of different thicknesses due to the fact that the characters vary in width. Thus, when these matrices are assembled into a line of predetermined definite length, the number of matrices necessary to complete the line varies with the particular matrices used. The length of line therefore is dependent not upon the number of characters in the line but rather upon the thicknesses of the characters or matrices composing 40 the line. Consequently, it is necessary, during the preparation of a perforated tape representing lines of composed matter, to totalize the various thicknesses of matrices corresponding to the code perforations made in the tape, so that the oper- 45 ator will be apprised at all times of the length of line remaining as each key is operated, and can thus judge the justifiability of the line.

As is known, the em quad or em space is a matrix utilized as a spacing element of fixed 50 thickness, whose thickness is equivalent to the matrix carrying the capital or upper case M,

which is chosen because of being substantially square or quadratic in shape. It is also known that since the letter M varies in size for the dif- 55" ferent fonts of type, the em quads of the fonts of type must also vary. To totalize the thicknesses of the matrices composing a line of composition, the em under certain conditions has been chosen as the unit of measurement, and to count fractions, the em has been divided into eighteen sub-units. In terms of ems, the summation or total of matrices comprising a given line of composition is the same for a font of large type as for a font of smaller type having the same proportions. But so far as the actual 1 thicknesses of matrices is concerned, the actual length of a line of matrices of a particular font of type, in terms of a definite linear unit of measurement, for example the inch or pica, is

different than the total or summation of the 15 same matter composed of a different font of type.

With the apparatus disclosed in copending applications Serial No. 601,172, filed March 25, 1932 by H. L. Krum et al. (which has eventuated into United States Patent No. 2,024,006 granted December 10, 1935), and Serial No. 613,706, filed May 26, 1932 by-H. L. Krum (which matured into U. S. Patent No. 2,059,250, issued November 3,

1936) the counting mechanism employed, includ 7 ing the scale or indicating mechanism, was disposed to count proportions and not actual dimensions; that is, the counting mechanism was adapted to move the indicator or matrix pointer across a scale at a fixed rate indicative of the em or fraction thereof, regardless of the font or size or type. The major scale'divisicns on the indicator dial in those forms of apparatus are known as keyboard ems, since they represent proportions and not actual dimensions. Furthermore, because of the fact that the em quad varies in actual thickness for different fonts of type, and also to distinguish from actual em quads, the major divisions on the scale, which represent ems of all fonts of type, are known as keyboard ems. 40

In practically all kinds of composition it is advantageous to measure the lengths of line being composed directly in picas, for the reason that a pica is a. fixed unit of type measurement, it being substantially equivalent to one-sixth of an inch and, together with the point (which isone seventy-second of an inch or one-twelfth of a pica), is employed as the printers unit of measure. The pica equavalent for a given set size of type is obtained from the following formula:

(1) Pica deflection per em=% By pica deflection is meantthe deflection of the matrix pointer in terms of picas. Since the pedient to ascertain this reading in terms of ten ems, in which event the formula becomes:

set size 12 The set size of the font, as is known in the art, is derived from the set size of the em quad in the particular font. The term set size is employed to specify the width of the type body measured linewise and is measured in points. The set size of a font is expressed in terms of the set size of the em quad of that font; thus, if the em quad of a font is four points in width, then the set size of that particular font is said to be l-set. Since a pica, as previously mentioned, is equal to twelve points, then the font, the em quad of which is one pica or twelve points in width, is designated as 12-set. For a 12-set font of type, then, the pica deflection per em, according to formula (1), would be twelve divided by twelve, or unity. The mechanism according to the present invention would therefore (2) Pica deflection number of ems be adjusted in the manner hereinafter described so that upon each actuation of the em key, the matrix pointer would move one major scale division.

With the scale hitherto used, the matrix pointer is moved one major scale division for each em, regardless of the font of type for which the tape was being prepared. With the apparatus according to the present invention, the counting barrel or organ will rotate the same amount for each particular number of units thickness regardless of the actual linear dimensional width of the type, but the movement of the matrix pointer may be adjusted so that its movements represent actual pica measurements. For example, if the em is equal in width to one pica, then the matrix pointer will move one major scale division for each actuation of the em key. If, however, the em is greater or less than one pica in width, the matrix pointer will move more than or less than one major scale division for each actuation of the em key.

To achieve the above and other objects of the invention, a keyboard perforator and counter according to Patent No. 2,059,250, is arranged to accommodate a matrix pointer adjusting mechanism. Reference should be made to said patent for a full and comprehensive disclosure of the keyboard perforator and counter. With the embodiment disclosed herein, the keyboard includes keylevers arranged in a manner characteristic of typewriters, which operate through a permutation selector mechanism contained in the housing of a perforator and counter apparatus to position permutably a series of code discs of a selector to select one of a circumferentially arranged series of rods. A counting barrel to which a constant torque is imparted has a circumferentially arranged series of slides, a selected one of which cooperates with the selected rods to determine the degree of rotation of the counting barrel. The selector rods are sixteen in number, fourteen of which represent a series ranging from five units to eighteen units inclusive, since it is not necessary in practice to employ matrices smaller than five units in width. The remaining two rods are representative of the zero position and function respectively. Thus, as the stop member or counting barrel is rotated through variable angles according to the selecting rod operated, like rotation is imparted to a spiral gear operatively associated with the counting barrel, and through a suitable gear train variable motion is imparted to a matrix pointer associated with an indicator dial. Hence, as the keys are depressed, the matrix pointer is moved through variable cumulative distances corresponding to the widths or thicknesses of the matrices represented by the keys. The variable motion imparted to the matrix pointer may be adjusted to different fonts of type by interposing between the counting clutch and the matrix pointer a proportionally adjustable instrumentality.

A more comprehensive understanding of the present invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters represent similar parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a perforator and counter with parts broken away showing the apparatus necessary for a clear understanding of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the counting stop unit per se;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the keyboard perforator and counter according to U. S. Patent No. 2,059,250 partly in section and with certain parts omitted or broken away to show clearly the improvement to which the present invention relates;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 3 to show the counting clutch arrangement and the clutch release means therefor;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmental perspective View of a take-up means for the counting clutch gears.

Having reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it is noted that most of the parts shown have their counterpart in the structure illustrated in Patent No. 2,059,250, the entire perforating mechanism not being shown but which is nevertheless considered as operatively associative with the present invention. In Figs. 1 and 3, a plurality of keylevers II are pivoted on a common rod (not shown) and are normally held up by individual springs. These keylevers extend over a number of pairs of selector bars for controlling the perforator unit, indicated generally by the numeral l2, and over the similar pairs of bars l3 and M (Fig. 3) included in the selecting unit for controlling the counting mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral l5. The keylevers II are each provided with a key [6 individual thereto. The bars l3 and I4 of each pair (Fig. 3) are supported by a pair of T-shaped rocker members I! disposed at each end of the pairs of bars I3 and M, the rocker member at only one end of the selector bars being shown in Figs. 3. Each series of rocker members ll are mounted on a pivot rod I8 and have oppositely off-set lugs l9 and 2| which uphold the selector bars l3 and I4, respectively, of the corresponding pair of bars. The rocker members I! of each pair of selector bars l3 and M are pivoted to and reciprocate with a permutation bar 22, each of which is pivotally articulated to a Y-shaped selector lever 23 pivoted on a rod 24. The permutation bars 22, shown in Fig. 3, are those provided for the control of the counting mechanism. Similar bars (not shown) are provided for the control of the perforator 2 and are pivoted to individual levers 25 (Fig. 1), each of which in turn reciprocates a punch interference member 26 individual thereto.

The Y-shaped levers 23 are also provided with an aperature 2'! which is substantially larger than a rod 28 positioned below and to one side of the pivot 24. The purpose of the rod 28 and the aperture 21 in each of the Y-shaped levers 23 is to limit the movement of these levers and to insure their proper cooperation with other associated elements, as is more clearly set forth hereinafter.

- Each keylever II is arranged to depress one or the other of each pair of selector bars l3 and i4, and through the medium of the rocker members l1, lifts the other selector bar of the pair either to advance or retract the corresponding permuta tion bar 22 to imp-art corresponding movement to the associated lever 23. Upon depression of a keylever, the permutation bars 22 are set in characteristic combinations. It is noted that the selector and permutation bars have no normal po" sition and are moved back and forth by the keylevers. As indicated in Fig. 3, the bar It is raised and the bar 4 is lowered by certain keylevers. Also, since each key sets the selector bar in its individual combination, two keys cannot be fully depressed at the same time, and any attempt to do so will bring the selector bars l3 and I4 to their midposition, which is, of course, a non-selecting position.

As set forth in Patent No. 2,059,250, each keylever II, in addition to actuating the selector bars l3 and I4, also operates a universal bar (not shown)'which functions to initiate a cyclic operation of the apparatus by tripping the clutch mechanism, indicated generally as 20 (Fig. 1), associated with the operating shaft 29. 29 also carries a series of cams adapted to carry out the several operations of the apparatus. For instance, a cam 50 is employed to operate the perforator I2, and a cam 50 is employed to operate the spacing bar 39, which carries mechanism indicated generally in Fig. l as In and as disclosed in Patent No. 2,059,250, for controlling the operation of the adjustable space band mechanism, which is indicated generally as 10 and is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 651,731 (filed January 14, 1933 by E. S. Larson), to actuate a pair of space band pointers 64 and 65. As is known .in the typographical art, justifying matrices, commonly known as expansible space bands or word spacers are provided which cooperate with the character matrices and are equally determinative of the justifiability of the line. It is essential, therefore, that the indicator denote not only the totalization of the character matrices, but also the expansibility of the space bands, and that these two functions be performed simultaneously and the resultant effect be apparent to the operator at all times. To accomplish this result an indicator comprising a matrix pointer and a pair of space band pointers is employed as described in the aforementioned patents and copending application. To enhance the flexibility of the counting device the pair of space band pointers have been rendered adjustable by the mechanism disclosed in application Serial No. 651,731, and to further enhance the flexibility of the counting device the matrix pointer adjusting mechanism according to the present invention is employed.

The setting of the Y-shaped levers 23 per- Shaft mutatively upon the depression of a keylever II will control the setting of a plurality of notched discs 3| (Fig. 2), forming part of the counting mechanism I5. Individual to each of the levers 23 and notched discs 3| is a transfer lever 32 pivotally mounted on a rod 33 secured to a bracket 30 (Fig. 3) which is oscillated by a cam (not shown) carried on the operating shaft, as fully set forth in Patent No. 2,059,250. For each operation of bracket 30, the transfer levers 32 will be moved downwardly (as viewed in Fig. 3) into operative relation with the Y-shaped levers 23; that is, whether the levers 23 are set in their leftor right-hand positions the transfer levers 32 will engage or be free of corresponding upper ends of the Y-shaped levers to cause the discs iii to be rotated slightly in either clockwiseor counterclockwise direction. With the Y-shaped levers 23 operated in varying permutations in accordance with the movement of the permutation bars 22, the discs 3| will likewise be rotated in varying combinations and will correspondingly cause for each setting thereof an alignment of the various groups of notches formed in the periphery of the discs 3|.

Cooperating with the notches in the discs 3| are a plurality of rods 34, there being a rod individual to each set of notches (when aligned) and arranged with anti-friction rollers 35. Each of the rods 34 is centripetally biased by an individual spring 36. In this manner, the rods 34 normally tend to move radially toward a common center into the notches of the discs 3|, but inasmuch as the notches are arranged so that for each setting of the discs, only one group thereof will be in transverse alignment, only one of the rods 34 at a time will be moved into the'notches. Also, the notches in the discs 34 are arranged so that when the discs are moved for a subsequent selection, the previously selected rod 34 will be cammed outwardly against the actionof its associated spring 36. Operatively secured to the right-hand end of each of the rods 34 is a stop member 31 (Fig. 2) which slides in suitable slots formed in a circular member 38.

To the right of the code disc selector 39 (as viewed in Fig. 2) is a counting barrel or unit 4|, forming a part of the counting mechanism, which is rotated by power communicated from a continuously rotating motor 40 through a friction clutch 42. The counting unit 4| comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged slides 43 which are longitudinally slidable and adapted to coact with the stop members 31 to determine the degree of rotation of unit 4|, and any of the slides 43 which are found in the zero position are operated invariably by a lever I00 (corresponding to lever 255, disclosed in Patent No. 2,059,250), controlled by a cam (not shown) carried on the operating shaft 29. Simultaneously with the actuation of a slide in its zero position, the previously operated slide is restored to its normal or non-operated position by a collar 44 to accomplish,

through the coaction of an operated slide 43 and a selected stop member 31, the incrementally progressive movement of the counting unit 4|. The counting unit 4| includes a shaft 45 on which is formed a worm 46. Attention is directed herein to the structural feature of counting unit 4|, in that it'is of a very small diameter, thereby permitting a high speed of rotation. By having the parts near the axis of rotation, the centrifugal action is reduced and the moment of inertia is materially less, which makes possible the rotation of the parts at very high speeds.

- As previously mentioned, the slides 43 cooperate with the members 31 to govern the rotation of the counting unit M, which is driven through the friction clutch 42, to cause a corresponding degree of rotation to worm 46. The rotation of the Worm 46, which meshes with a gear 41 secured to a shaft 48, causes the corresponding angular rotation of a shaft 49 through gears I and 52. A :worm 53 is fixed to the left extremity (as viewed in Fig. 3) of shaft 49 and meshes with a worm wheel 54 associated with the counting clutch arrangement indicated in Fig. 5, completing a gear train between the counting unit M and said counting clutch.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the indicator comprises a portion 55 of sectoral shape mounted on a frame 59 carried on the base 51, which portion carries slidably thereon a dial or scale 58 provided adjacent its arcuate edge with a scale or series of graduations representing the number of picas in a line of maximum length. Associated with the scale 58 is a matrix pointer 59 which, according to the present invention, is disassociated from the counting clutch. The reason for disassociating the matrix pointer from the counting clutch is that when they are associated as indicated in the aforementioned patents, the pointer return spring always acts to oppose the registering movement of the pointer and must be stretched through the power of the frictional counting clutch. Also, the pointer is disassociated from the counting clutch to enable the introduction of an adjusting mechanism for varying the movement or rate of deflection of the matrix pointer 59 with respect to the fixed movement of the counting mechanism I5 to permit direct pica measurement of the type instead of limiting the measurement of lines to keyboard ems.

The matrix pointer 59 is mounted for rotation on a pivot stud 6| fixed to the bracket 58 as shown in Fig. 6. Also associated with the matrix pointer 59 to rotate therewith on shaft BI is a pinion 92. The reverted end 63 of pointer 59 moves along the arcuate edge of the dial from left to right, as viewed in Fig. 1, towards Zero in response to the totalization of the matrix thicknesses by the counting mechanism. Thus, the distance from the pointer 59 to zero indicates the amount of space left in the line to be filled with matrices when the line contains no space bands. However, when space bands are inserted in the line, the space remaining to be filled varies with the number of space bands inserted. So, to indicate the justifiability of the composed line, a pair of space band pointers 54 and 65 are provided,

the distance between the pointers indicating the amount of expansibility of the space bands.

In the form of the invention shown, the scale 58 is articulated to the minimum space band pointer 55 through a pin 65 and is movable with said pointer. The space left in the line to be filled when the space bands are inserted is represented by the distance between the matrix pointer 59 and any point between the dotted positions 57 and 68 of space band pointers 94 and 65, respectively. The manner of effecting the differential or proportional movement of pointers 54 and 65 toward the left (Fig. 1) is fully set forth in copending application Serial No. 651,731, and need not be described here.

The counting clutch, as shown in Fig. 5, comprises a shaft II which terminates at one end in a flange or disc I2, the other end of which is threaded to receive a nut I3. Shaft II is carried in a flanged sleeve member I4 attached to the flange of which is the worm gear 54. The assembly, comprising shaft II and sleeve I4, is mounted in a bearing in bracket I5 carried on the base 51. Interposed between the flange I2 and the flange I6 are a pair of friction discs TI and an intermediately disposed gear 18. Pressure is imparted to the friction discs 11, to constrain the gear I8 for rotation with worm gear 54, by a compression spring I9 which is compressed between the nut I3 and a nut 8| carried on the sleeve I4. A friction washer 82 is disposed between the nut 8| and the journal bearing portion of bracket I5. With the arrangement so far disclosed, the rotation of the counting unit I5 is imparted through gears 4'I and 5|, on shaft 48, and gear 52 on shaft 49, to worm 53 to rotate worm gear 54 to impart, in turn, rotation to the gear I8.

Associated with gear I8 is a vertically disposed rack member 83 (Fig. 3) provided with two slots 84 and 85. The lower slot is adapted to cooperate with a stud 86 to guide the member 83. The member 83 is further guided by a stud 8'! carried on an adjustably positionable block 88 (Fig. 4). Member 83 is normally urged upwardly by a spring 89, having one end attached to the lower end of member 83 and the other end attached to a part of the frame 59. Thus, the stud 8'I acts as a stop to limit the upward movement of member 83. Block 88 is threaded to receive an adjusting screw 89 which is vertically disposed on bracket 59 opposite to member 83, being carried at its upper end by a flange 9i on bracket 58 and at its lower end by a bracket 92 secured to bracket 55. With this arrangement, the block 88, and hence stop or stud 81, is adjustable vertically.

As shown in Fig. 3, member 83 is provided with a laterally disposed shoulder portion 93 which cooperates with a fixed stop 94. In Fig. 3, stop 94 is indicated as capable of adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, because when the proper position of stop 94 is once determined in a particular piece of apparatus, as will presently appear, it is locked in that position by a lock nut 98. Theoretically, however, for the purpose of carrying out the invention, the stop 94 is assumed as fixed at a point by virtue of which the matrix pointer 59 will be moved, upon each actuation of the em space or em quad key, one major scale division. Member 83 is also provided at its lower end with a laterally disposed portion 95 through which member 83 is pivotally connected to a lever 96. Lever 9B is provided with a slot 91 which cooperates with an adjustably positionable pivot stud 98 carried on a follower block 99 (Fig. 1), which in turn is carried on an adjusting screw IUI mounted in brackets I52 and I03 (Fig. 3) of bracket 56.

Lever 99 is adapted at its right extremity (as viewed in Fig. 3) to cooperate abuttably with a stud I94 on a vertically disposed rack member 595. Back member H15 is disposed substantially parallel to member 83 and is carried for slidable or reciprocal motion on studs I96 and I01 secured to frame 56. The upper portion of rack member I05 meshes with the aforementioned pinion 62 associated with the matrix pointer 59. Carried on a portion I98 of bracket 56 is a matrix pointer return lever I 09 which normally tends to move in a clockwise direction under the action of a spring II I to rotate, in turn, at predetermined times, the matrix pointer 59 through the medium of an interconnecting cable H2.

The adjustable pivot stud 98 is arranged to move along a slot H3 in bracket 56 and the screw I 0| is properly aligned parallelly to this slot. on the right end of the adjusting screw IOI as viewed in" Fig. 1 (left end as viewed in Fig. 3), is a pinion H4 which meshes with a pinion II5 fixed to an axially slidable shaft H6 carried in brackets III and I02 of frame 56. R0- tation is imparted to the shaft H6 manually by a crank wheel H8. When the shaft I I5 is in its leftward position as viewed in Fig. 1, pinion H5 meshes with pinion H4, and upon rotation of shaft H6 by crank H8 in either direction, the block 99, and hence the pivot stud 98, is moved rightwardly or leftwardly along the adjusting screw IOI. When the shaft H6 is shifted to its rightward position as viewed in Fig. l, pinion II5 meshes with a pinion H8 carried on a shaft I2I mounted between bracket I82 and another bracket (not shown) on frame 56. To the end of shaft I2I opposite to pinion I I9 is secured a spiral gear I22 which meshes with a corresponding spiral gear I23 secured to the lower end of adjusting screw 89, so that when pinion H5 meshes with pinion H9 and the shaft H6 is re- 25 tated in either direction by the crank II 8, the

adjusting screw 89 through spiral gears I22 and I23 will be rotated likewise to cause the adjusting block 88, carrying the adjustable stop 81, to be moved upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of crank II 8.

To effect the return of the matrix pointer 59 and the adjusting mechanism therefor to its initial or beginning-of-line position, a predetermined keylever II is actuated (for example, the Elevator or end-of-line key, as indicated in Patent No. 2,059,250) which initiates, through clutch mechanism 20, the rotation of the cam assembly on shaft 29, one of the cams of which operates on a lever I25, the end view of which is shown in Fig. 5. When lever I25 is thus operated, a link I26 connected thereto is raised to impart, in turn, counterclockwise rotation to a bell crank I2I pivoted at I28 to bracket I5. Bell crank I21, when so actuated, causes, through stud I29 carried thereon, the leftward movement of shaft II (Fig. 5) against the distending action of spring 19. This relieves the pressure normally imposed upon gear I8 through friction discs I! and permits spring 88 to contract to effeet the return of member 83 against its adjustable stop 8! or fixed stop 94 as the case may be, depending upon which one is in effective position.

The upward movement of member 83 causes lever '95 to rotate in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) about its adjustable pivot 98. Due to this movement of lever 96, rack member I05 is free to respond to the action of return spring I II. Normally, spring I I I, as previously mentioned, tends to rotate the return lever I09 in a clockwise direction, which through cable IIZ tends to impart like rotation to the matrix pointer 59 which in turn tends to transmit downward movement, through pinion 62, to rack member I05. In this manner an abutting relationship is established between stud I04 and the right end of lever 96. When lever 96 is actuated in a counterclockwise direction in response to the operation of the counting mechanism, it raises member I05 against the action of spring III to impart counterclockwise rotation to pointer 59. However, when the counting clutch, shown in Fig. 5, is released, spring 88 acts to impart clockwise rotation to lever 95, and spring III acts to return pointer-59 to itsrightwardposition (determined by the coaction of member 83 with stops 8! or 94) and member I05 to its lower position (determined by the coaction of stud I04 and end of lever 96). It is, of course, obvious that lever 95, may, if desired, be pivotally connected to member I05 and an abutting relationship established between member 83 and the left end of lever 96.

Modification In the event that'there may occur a certain amount of gear play or back-lash in the counting clutch gears, an arrangement shown in Fig. 7 is provided. In view of the fact that the rotational movement of worm gear 53 is: unidirectional, a spring I3I is provided which acts to prevent any back-lash due to gear play between gears 53 and, 54. Spring I3I comprises a coil portion I32 adapted to fit over a stud I33 integrally formed on disc I2. The internal diameter across the convolutions of the spring coil is preferably somewhat less than the diam-. eter of the stud I 33, so that when the stud I33 is inserted, it distends the coil I32 slightly. The direction of the helix of the coil I32 is determined by the direction of rotation of the stud I 33 (and hence disc I2 and gear 54) during its operation, and is designed so that the frictional engagement between the stud I33 and the foremost end of the spring (which is conformed to press against the peripheral surface of the stud I33) tends to wind the coil. Consequently, the stud I33 is firmly held by a constant or increasing binding action during its operation.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. '7, the worm gear 53 tends to rotate the gear 54 (and hence the disc I2 and stud I33) in a clockwise direction. Due to the aforedescribed frictional engagement between spring I3I and I33, the spring I3I tends also to rotatein a clockwise direction thereby tensioning or flexing the tail portion I34 thereof, which abuts against a stud I35 attached to bracket 56. The tail I34 will be flexed, under the action of worm gear 53, until the energy stored therein is substantially equivalent to the frictional resistance between coil I32 and stud I33, whereupon coil I32, during continued actioh of worm gear 53, will slip on stud I33. Now, when the pressure on the counting clutchv is relieved, as previously described, the gear 54, due to the energy stored in tail I34, which is transmitted through the binding relationship between coil I32 and stud I33, will tend to rotate in a -counter-,, clockwise direction, thereby maintaining the contact between the teeth on gears 54 and 55.

An arrangement for achieving the same effect between gear I8 and rack 83 is also provided as indicated in Fig. 7. In this instance, a spring I36 is extended between a lug I3-I on dial 55 and a point on the periphery of gear I8. The point of connection between gear I8 and spring I36 is so chosen that spring I36, during the upward movement of rack 83' and counterclockwise rotation of gear I8, will wind around the periphery of the gear, thereby tensioning the spring. With this arrangement, the teeth of gear I8 and of rack 83 are constantly in contactual engagement due to the counterpoising efiect of springs I 36 and 80, respectively. Thus, when rack 83 is returned to its upward position by spring 80, said contactual engagement is maintained by the fact that spring I36 is tending to rotate gear I8 in a clockwise direction against the action of spring 80 upon rack 83. Furthermore, said contactual engagement is maintained during the counting operation for the reason that gear I9, acting in response to the movement of gear 54 through the medium ofthe counting clutch, operates to impart downward movement to rack member 83 against the action of spring 80.

It is, of course, manifest that the modification herein set forth is readily applicable to the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, and that the accuracy of the functioning of the counting clutch gears will be enhanced under normal working conditions wherein manufacturing tolerances must be considered.

General operation The details of the apparatus having been described, an understanding of the operation of the device according to the present invention can be obtained from the following description.

Referring to Fig. 1-, the tops I8 of the keylevers II carry indicia (not shown) analogous to the well-known typewriter keyboards wherein two sets of designations are used, one for the lower case and the other for the upper case, a shift key and an unshift key being provided to condition the general apparatus to function for counting in accordance with whether the indicating and counting mechanism are operated for upper or lower case characters. The perforating, counting, and indicating operations proceed in the manner disclosed in Patent No. 2,059,250, the only difference being that in the present instance means is provided for adjusting or varying the movement, of the matrix pointer, which adjusting facility does not obtain inthe structure according to Patent No. 2,059,250.

Before commencing to operate the apparatus, the operator (if necessary to restore the indicator to its beginning-of-line position) first depresses the elevator key which, through the universal bar, actuates clutch mechanism 20 to initiate the rotation of operating shaft 29 which, through a cam controlled thereby, operates lever I25 (Fig. 5) to actuate in turn the link I26 and bell crank I21 to relieve the pressure exerted upon gear 18 by the counting clutch. Spring 80 thereupon acts to raise rack member 83 until it is arrested, either by the adjustable stop 8'! or the fixed stop 94. Simultaneously, spring III (Fig. 3) acts through bell crank I99 and cable I I2 to return the matrix pointer 59 as far from the zero indication of the scale (Fig. 1) as it is permitted to move by lever 96. 1

If stop member 91 is raised to its extreme upper position through the medium of crank I I8, gears H5, H9, I22, and. I23, and screw I89, the rack member 83 will move upwardly until fiange 93 thereon abuts fixed stop 94. In this position the slots 91 and H3 of lever 96 and frame 55, respectively, will be in coincidence or parallel alignment. In this position the movement of fulcrum 98 through the operation of block 99 on screw IOI by bell crank H8 and gears H4 and H5 will have no effect upon the matrix pointer.

. However, if any one of the keys I6 is operated,

the counting mechanism I5 will cause the rotation of gear 54 as previously described, which in turn will impart a downward movement to rack member 83. The amount of movement of matrix pointer 59 for each actuation of the key I6 selected for operation will vary according to the position of the fulcrum 98. Thus, if the key I5 is operated a predetermined number of times and the rack 83 and lever 96 assume a position substantially as shown in Fig. 3, it is obvious that for example, ten times.

the movement of fulcrum 98 along slot II3 by means of crank II8 will change the position of matrix pointer 59, although the key-lever I6 has not been further operated beyond said predetermined number of times.

To take a concrete example, it will be assumed that adjustable stop 8'! has been raised to its upward position so that shoulder 93 engages fixed stop 94. The operator, knowing the set size of the font of type for which the tape is to be prepared, will, by means of the formula (1) or (2) determine the pica equivalent for the given set size of type. To obtain this result, the operator need only divide the set size by twelve, and the quotient will give the pica equivalent because the dividend and divisor are already stated in points. The purpose of introducing the quantity number of ems in the foregoing formula (2) is, as previously described, to facilitate the determination of the pica equivalent for the em quad of a particular set size or font of type. In the position wherein the shoulder 93 abuts fixed stop 94, the reverted end 63 of matrix pointer 59 will coincide with the graduation indicated on scale 58 (Fig. 1). In order to adjust the indicator to indicate directly in picas, the operator will depress a key, representative of a matrix of known width (for example, the em quad or em space key), a predetermined number of times; Upon noting the reading obtained by the operation of the em key ten times, the operator observes the deviation of this reading from the pica deflection calculated and thereupon operates the matrix pointer adjusting mechanism by first engaging gears H4 and H5 and then rotating crank H8 in such direction that the matrix pointer 59 will coincide with the proper or calculated reading on the scale, which would be in the present instance 45 minus the quantity obtained from formula (2). For a 12-set font of type, the pica deflection equivalent to ten em quads will equal ten picas or ten major graduations upon scale 58. Thus, according to the foregoing example, with the point 59 originally set at graduation or major scale division 45 and after operating the em quad key ten times, the pointer 59 will be adjusted by moving fulcrum 98 in either one direction or the other until the pointer coincides with major scale division 35. Furthermore, in the event that the perforator and counter is to be adjusted to count or totalize matrices according to an 8-set font of type, the pica deflection according to formula (2) for ten ems would be equal to ten times the quotient obtained by dividing eight by twelve which equals six and seven-tenths picas. In this case, after ten operations of the em space or em quad key, the fulcrum 93 would be adjusted so that the matrix pointer 59 coincides with reading 38.3 on scale 58.

According to the present disclosure, the scale 58 is graduated to read forty-five picas. The number of graduations on the scale indicated in Fig. 1 is chosen merely by way of illustration, but the number of graduations may of course be more or less than this number. When the adjustable stop 91 is so positioned that rack 83 is arrested by fixed stop 94, the counting mechanism is arranged to totalize matrices for lines forty-five picas long. For lines less than fortyfive picas long, the adjustable stop 8'! is lowered by means of crank H8 and gears H5 and H9, the effect of which is to lower rack 83 and in turn rotate matrix pointer 59 so that at whichever graduation matrix pointer 55 is set by stop 81, that graduation represents the beginning-ofline position, and the distance between that graduation and zero on scale 58 represents. the length of line to be composed.

The determination of the pica equivalent according to formulas (l) and (2) is not dependent upon the arrestment of projection 9-3 against the fixed stop 95. On the contrary, the pica deflection may be determined at any point upon the scale 58, it being merely convenient to do so according to the example given above. The pica deflection could just as readily be determined by setting the adjustable stop ii? so that F matrix pointer 59 coincides with any major scale division, it being more convenient to set the matrix pointer 59 on a major scale division indicated by one of the numerals on scale 58.

According to copending application Serial No. 651,731, the space band pointers 6 3 and are adjustable according to the size of space band used by means of adjusting mechanism 'lil, and the scale 58 is articulated with minimum space band pointer 65 through pin 65 to facilitate the composition of tabular matter. A keyboard perforator and counter equipped with the adjusting mechanisms according to the present invention and according to copending application Serial No. 651,731 provides a highly flexible apparatus for indicating and totalizing lines or" composed matrices in terms of picas. In such ratus. not only are the pair of space band pointers operably adjustable for different of space bands, but the matrix pointer is also operably adjustable, so as to enhance the cooperability of all of said pointers to indicate continuously the status of a line of composition with respect to justifiability. A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that when the same space bands are used for different sizes of type, no change need be made in the adiustable space band unit 10 when transferring from a font of one set size to another.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in connection with perforator and counter, it is of course understood that the invention is capable of embodiment in many and varied applications other than that specifically disclosed, without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a scale. an indicating means, a counting device for moving said means with respect to said scale variable incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and a ratio mechanism comprising a proportionally adjustable instrumentality interposed between and operably related to said device and said means to vary the operative relationship between said device and said means.

2. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a scale. an indicating means, means for moving said eating means with respect to said scale variable incremental amounts representative of matrix widths,

keys, a scale, an indicating means, means controlled by said keys to move said indicating means with respect to said scale a predetermined amount according to the key operated, and means comprising a proportionally adjustable instrumentality to change the amount of movement of said indicating means for each operation of each of said keys.

l. In a keyboard device, a counting device, a scale, an index hand and spring return means therefor, mechanism non-concentric with said index hand and including friction means to move said index hand with respect to said scale in accordance with the operation of said counting device as determined by the key operated, and means invariably controlled by one of said keys to render said friction means ineffective to move said index hand to enable said return means to restore said index hand to its initial position.

5. A machine for preparing control strips for typographical machines comprising a matrix width counting mechanism including an indicating element, means controlled by said mechanism to move said element representative of matrix widths, and means for changing the movement of said element in accordance with the set size of type being composed.

6. In a keyboard apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a series of keys, a scale, an indicating means movable with respect thereto, a counting mechanism controlled by said keys in invariable-predetermined extents, and a ratio mechanism interposed between and operably related to said counting mechanism and said indicating means to vary the operative relationship between said counting mechanismand said indicating means.

'7. In a keyboard apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a series of keys, an indicating means, means controlled by said keys in invariable predetermined extents, and means interposed between and operably related. to said second recited means and said indicating means to vary the operative relationship between said second recited means and said indicating means.

8. A machine for preparing control strips for typographical machines comprising a matrix width counting mechanism capable of efiecting counting operations of definite and invariable extents, and means for translating the counting operations of said mechanism into infinitely variable extents.

9. A machine for preparing control strips for typographical machines comprising a matrix width counting mechanism operative under certain predetermined conditions for efiecting counting operations of definite and invariable extents, indicating mechanism, and means for translating the counting operation of said counting mechanism into infinitely variable extents and transferring the effect thereof to said indicating mechanism.

10. In combination in a machine for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a counting organ, means for effecting fixed actuations of said counting organ for each operation thereof, indicating means controlled by said counting organ, and means comprising a proportionally adjustable instrumentality for varying the effect imparted by the fixed actuations of said counting organ upon said indicating means.

11. In a keyboard device for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a counting mechanism operated in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a plurality of elements, means operated permutably for invariably Selecting one ofsaid elements, means controlled through said means and coacting with the selected element for determining the extent of op" eration of said counting mechanism, an indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, and a ratio mechanism eiiective to vary the response of said indicating means,

12. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a counting device, a plurality of selectable elements operative in incremental amounts, means for selecting one of said elements, a plurality of members one of which is selected on each operation of said means, means controlled by the joint action between said members and said elements for operating said counting device, an indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, and means interposed between said second recited means and said indicating means to vary the response of the latter.

13. In an apparatus, a plurality of centripetally biased elements, means to enable the actuation of said elements, a counting device comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged slidable members, means to control the operation of said device incrementally through the cooperation of said members and said elements, indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, and means interposed between said second recited means and said indicating means to vary the response of the latter.

14. In an apparatus, a plurality of centripetally biased elements, means to enable the actuation of said elements, a counting device comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged slidable members, means to control the operation of said device incrementally through the cooperation of said members and said elements, indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, and a ratio mechanism interposed between said second recited means and said indicating means to vary the response of the latter.

15. In an apparatus, a counting device, means for actuating said device including a series of operable elements, a. plurality of stop members, means for operating an element invariably in a zero position, means for operating the elements to cause their cooperation with said members to efiect the corresponding operation of the counting device, a registering means responsive to the action of said last recited means, and means to vary the response of said registering means,

16. In a device for preparing control strips for line-casting machines, a counting mechanism op eratecl in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a plurality of centripetally biased elements, permutation means for invariably selecting one of said elements, means controlled through said means and coacting with the selected element for determining the extent of operation of said counting mechanism, a registering means responsive to the action of said counting mechanism, and means to vary the response of said registering means.

1'7. In an apparatus, a plurality of centripetally biased elements, means to enable the actuation of said elements, a uni-directional counting organ comprising a plurality of circumierentially arranged slidable members, means effective through the cooperation of said members and said elements to control the incremental progressive movement of said counting organ, means responsive to the actuation of said organ, and means to vary the response of said last recited means.

18. In combination with a keyboard perforator suitable for the production of perforated tape representing lines of composition, a counting mechanism operated in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a plurality of elements, means operated permutably for invariably selecting one of said elements, means controlled through said means and coacting with the selected element for determining the extent of operation of said counting mechanism, an indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, a ratio mechanism effective to vary the response of said indicating means, and a pair of members operable proportionally under certain operating conditions to cooperate with said first recited member to indicate when a condition of justifiability oi the line being com posed has been reached.

19. In combination with a keyboard perforator for the production of perforated tape representing lines of composition, a counting mechanism operated in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a scale, a pointer movable variably with respect to said scale in response to the action of said counting mechanism to indicate the cumulative widths of characters, means to vary the response of said pointer, an additional pair of pointers, and means for moving said pair of pointers different distances for each efiectiveness thereof for indicating a different condition.

20. In combination with a keyboard perforator for the production of perforated tape representing lines of composition, a counting mechanism operated in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a scale, a pointer movable variably with respect to said scale in response to the action of said counting mechanism to indicate the cumulative widths of characters, means to vary the response of said pointer, an additional pair of pointers, and means for varying the incremental movements of said pair of pointers, all of said pointers tending to determine by their cooperation when a condition of justifiability of the composed line has been reached.

21. In combination in an apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a. signal determining means operable variably to impress signals on said control strip, a counting organ, means for effecting fixed actuations of said counting organ for each operation thereof corresponding to the variable operation of said signal determining means, indicating means controlled by said counting organ, and a ratio mechanism for varying the effect imparted by the fixed actuations of said counting organ upon said indicating means.

22. In a keyboard device, a counting device, a scale, indicating means movable with respect to said scale in accordance with the key operated, a slidable element associated with said counting device, another slidabl-e element associated with said indicating means, and a proportionally adjustable instrumentality interconnecting said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said indicating means.

23. In combination, a counting device, a scale, indicating means movable with respect to said scale, an element associated with said counting device, another element associated with said indicating means, and means cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said indicating means.

24. In combination, a counting device, a scale, indicating means movable with respect to said scale, an element associated with said counting device, another element associated with said indicating means, and a proportionally adjustable instrumentality cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said indicating means.

25. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a counting device, an indicating means, an element associated with said counting device, another element associated with said indicating means, and means cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said indicating means.

26. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for typographical machines, a counting device, an indicating means, a rack member associated with said counting device, a rack member associated with said indicating means, an element cooperably interposed between said rack members, and means associated with said element to vary the efiectiveness of said counting device upon said indicating means.

27. In a keyboard device, a plurality of keys, a

shaft, a scale, an indicator, motive means conmeans controlled by said special key to render said gear means ineffective to move said indicator, and resilient means associated with said last mentioned means to maintain the tendency of said shaft and gear means to move progressively during the period of operation of said last recited means to prevent back-lash of said gear means.

28. In a keyboard device for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a counting mechanism operated in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a plurality of elements, means operated permutably for invariably selecting one of said elements, means controlled through said means and coacting with theselected element for determining the extent of operation of said counting mechanism, an indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, a slidable element associated with said counting mechanism, another slidable element associated with said indicating means, and a proportionally adjustable instrumentality interconnecting said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting mechanism and said indicating means.

29. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a counting device, a plurality of selectable elements operative in in cremental amounts, means for selecting one of said elements, a plurality of members one of which is selected on each operation of said means, means controlled by the joint action between said members and said elements for operating said counting device, an indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, an element associated with said counting device,

another element associated with said indicating means, and means cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said indicating means.

30. In an apparatus, a plurality of centripetally biased elements, means to enable the actuation of said elements, a counting device comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged slidable members, means to control the operation of said device incrementally through the cooperation of said members and said elements, indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, an element associated with said counting device, another element associated with said indicating means, and a proportionally adjustable instrumentality cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said indicating means.

31. In an apparatus, a counting device, means for actuating said device including a series of operable elements, a plurality of stop members, means for operating an element invariably in a zero position, means for operating the elements to cause their cooperation with said members to effect the corresponding operation of the counting device, a registering means responsive to the action of said last recited means, an element associated with said counting device, another element associated with said registering means, and means cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting device and said registering means.

32. In an apparatus, a plurality of centripetal- 1y biased elements, means to enable the actuation of said elements, a uni-directional counting organ comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged slidable members, means effective through the cooperation of said members and said elements to control the incremental progressive movement of said counting organ, means responsive to the actuation of said organ, an element associated with said counting organ, another element associated withsaid third recited means, and means cooperatively related to said elements to vary the operative relationship between said counting organ and said third recited means.

33. In combination with a keyboard perforator suitable for the production of perforated tape representing lines of composition, a counting mechanism operated in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a plurality of elements, means operated permutably for invariably selecting one of said elements, means controlled through said means and coacting with the selected element for determining the extent of operation of said counting mechanism, an indicating means responsive to the action of said second recited means, a rack member associated with said counting mechanism, a rack member associated with said indicating means, an element cooperably interposed between said rack members, and means associated with said element to vary the effectiveness of said counting mechanism upon said indicating means.

EDWARD S. LARSON. 

